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August 20, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kingwood Resident Sentenced for
Defrauding the Social Security Administration

CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA — A 45 year old Kingwood, West Virginia, resident was sentenced on August 18, 2010, in United States District Court in Clarksburg by Judge Irene M. Keeley.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that KIMBERLY CASTEEL was sentenced to 12 months plus one day imprisonment and ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $80,783.00. CASTEEL entered a plea of guilty to one count of an Indictment charging her with devising a scheme to defraud the Social Security Child’s Insurance benefits intended for her stepdaughter. CASTEEL falsely represented that her minor stepdaughter resided in West Virginia with her, even though her minor stepdaughter resided with her natural mother outside the State of West Virginia. From February 2001 to May 2008, CASTEEL fraudulently caused benefit checks to be mailed totaling approximately $80,783.00 to her residence in Preston County.

CASTEEL is currently free on bond and will self-report to a designated federal institution.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Zelda E. Wesley. The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration – Office of Inspector General.